Plan the ultimate Louisiana corporate retreat at Grosse Savanne Lodge — luxury accommodations, team-building adventures, guided fishing, and exclusive privacy. Perfect for rewarding top performers, strengthening client relationships, and creating unforgettable experiences.

Good news: the world is a big place and we’re here to help you explore it with a rod and reel in hand. I continue to monitor the press and other sources to save you some time. Here are a few items that’ve stood out to me over the past month or so.

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame induction ceremony is a great chance to meet your heroes and bid on amazing one-of-a-kind items. Even if you can’t make it in September, the Hall is a “must-see” location for all anglers.

Fishing around bears is never 100% safe, but if you’re careful and take certain precautions, it’s a (small) risk worth taking to see amazing places and catch some fish. It’s a thrill that keeps drawing us back to Alaska.

Elite Series pro Wes Logan catches ‘em just about everywhere he goes, but he’s especially deadly on spotted bass. That’s because he grew up on the Coosa River, where they grow to massive proportions. I cornered him to learn what makes them different from other spots.

We all have certain physical limitations — assess yours honestly and take advantage of technology and you can find the perfect fishing destination.

Under the leadership of Kristen Salazar, Casa Vieja is planning multiple upgrades, including more lodging and larger pool and bar areas. That’s par for the course, as they’re constantly growing. Indeed, the already best-in-class fleet has changed substantially since we started traveling to Guatemala.

While our AmEx Platinum gets us access to most Priority Pass lounges, the Centurion Lounges are the most consistent and we tend to prefer them if given multiple options. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for more news about them. Here are some recent links that caught my attention.

Copa Airlines continues to expand between great fishing locales, now directly connecting Cabo to Panama City. If you want back-to-back billfish trips, this may make your life much easier.

The TSA security process is an ever-evolving ritual for travelers. It’s especially tough for those of us who fish, because even though TSA regs are semi-clear on what we can bring, some things are left to the discretion of individual agents. Fortunately, there are some changes happening now stateside that bode well for all travelers.

Just because you’re ensconced in a bubble of your own making, too busy to stay up with the news, doesn’t mean that info stops flowing. Indeed, fishing travel is a rapidly-changing landscape, and we try to stay on top of it.

I’m a tackle store junkie. The pros get to visit many more of them than I do, and their tackle purchases are tax-deductible. I asked Cliff Pirch, Drew Benton, Matty Wong, Wes Logan and Gerald Swindle where they look forward to swiping their credit cards.

Since we started traveling to Panama in April of 2021, we’ve seen Tocumen Airport grow. Not only is the physical plant larger and more modern, but the number of flights have also increased substantially. Now more international gateways have opened up.

When our fishing trip got canceled due to factors beyond our control, Hanna and I still wanted to use the time away from the grind. Rather than schedule a different angling excursion, however, we decided to sit by a pool and do nothing. We figured clearing our heads would be valuable as we enter the second half of 2025.

If you have a night to spend in Panama City on your way to fishing in Chiriqui, there are lots of great options to eat in this safe and vibrant city. Here are some lists from the experts.

Brandon Cobb learned to fish in South Carolina, where they have clear water spotted bass lakes, marshy low country waters, and many other options – along with great fishing off the coast. He’s understandably proud of his home state.

There’s a special kind of nervous excitement in bringing people to a place like Grosse Savanne Lodge in Louisiana that already holds part of your heart. You talk it up, tell the stories, paint pictures with your words and you want them to see it. Really see it.

We knew of Chef Matt Whitney’s decadent recipes and heaping portions from our two prior visits, but the eight Grosse Savanne virgins in our group may have been out of luck if they didn’t bring their stretchy pants.

Clifford Pirch has fished 8 Bassmaster Classics, but he’s better-known for his 3 US Open wins. When he’s at home he has some of the most underrated bass fishing in the country — lakes like Mead, Mojave and Powell, as well as those right around Phoenix.

As Hanna and I wrestle with whether to ride off into retirement in an RV, I sought out the advice of Mike McClelland. My writing career has overlapped with his success, and we explored both bass fishing history and life on the road.